At the risk of sounding dull and pessimistic (when that was such a finally exciting and optimistic offensive showing) I know I'd sure sleep easier if Bates and co. could just figure out where the heck our outside linebackers dissappear to every play. Anybody check the hot dog stand? or by the cheerleaders? or how about at a popular So Beach resturant? OK, I'll stop, now I'm just getting mean. But how tiring is it to watch the LB's be instinctual (ly late in making the play). I think our front four, and in turn, the whole defense, would be much better if we didn't ALWAYS send the LB's into coverage. And speaking of that coverage, on that first Lions' drive, didn't it seem that all the big plays were blown coverages by the LB's-Zach included? This was a fantastic game to watch for an offensive revival-and how long have we been waiting for that- but please Mr. Bates get these guys involved up front!
Of course, with that said, I understand the philosophy of bend don't break. IT"S JUST THAT I HATE IT SO MUCH! Making sure we don't give up big play and tightening up when we have less of a field to cover only works on youngster QB's (and only sometimes) Crafty vets (i.e. Manning and or -shiver- Testaverde) will pick us apart. In this rant, I'm starting to get flashbacks of Olividotti-dance-the nightgame-away---- more shivering. The way I see it is that our defense has been getting less and less dynamic and more and more predictable. I'm not basing this on yesterday's game either, as I would think that heat and humidity, even if you are used to it, is tough on everyone. It's been a slow bleed. And while some of that can be attributed to talent loss, I don't think that this current crop is that bad. However, what happend to the swarming? What happend to the sure tackling? What happend to the team speed never letting a RB get by? These are the things that make a defense dynamic and that starts with the linebackers. Not only, of course, but that's where it starts. Just look at the last few dominating D's such as what was the Ravens or the Steelers or even the Bears/Bucs. All linebacker play.
I guess what I'm trying to ask is why don't these outside linebackers get more involved? They are vet's and suppossed to be extremely athletic. Where do they go every play? Why can't Bates get them into positions to sniff out and make a play at the LOS or, as I look off dreaming, before? We have teams coming up on the sched that are the antithesis of the Lions and without some dynamic, take it to them, play from the defense we are in big trouble. Please Mr. Bates (Gailey) we have linebackers (fullbacks, TE's), USE THEM!
Of course, with that said, I understand the philosophy of bend don't break. IT"S JUST THAT I HATE IT SO MUCH! Making sure we don't give up big play and tightening up when we have less of a field to cover only works on youngster QB's (and only sometimes) Crafty vets (i.e. Manning and or -shiver- Testaverde) will pick us apart. In this rant, I'm starting to get flashbacks of Olividotti-dance-the nightgame-away---- more shivering. The way I see it is that our defense has been getting less and less dynamic and more and more predictable. I'm not basing this on yesterday's game either, as I would think that heat and humidity, even if you are used to it, is tough on everyone. It's been a slow bleed. And while some of that can be attributed to talent loss, I don't think that this current crop is that bad. However, what happend to the swarming? What happend to the sure tackling? What happend to the team speed never letting a RB get by? These are the things that make a defense dynamic and that starts with the linebackers. Not only, of course, but that's where it starts. Just look at the last few dominating D's such as what was the Ravens or the Steelers or even the Bears/Bucs. All linebacker play.
I guess what I'm trying to ask is why don't these outside linebackers get more involved? They are vet's and suppossed to be extremely athletic. Where do they go every play? Why can't Bates get them into positions to sniff out and make a play at the LOS or, as I look off dreaming, before? We have teams coming up on the sched that are the antithesis of the Lions and without some dynamic, take it to them, play from the defense we are in big trouble. Please Mr. Bates (Gailey) we have linebackers (fullbacks, TE's), USE THEM!
